Apache Axis is an OSS project for the development of web services. A Web Service is programmable application logic accessible using standard Internet protocols and it is a mechanism for integrating disparate IT systems and assets, (webservices.org, 2005) A Web Service represents a discrete unit of business, application, or system functionality.
Almost all well-known web services are based on either Java (Sun Microsystems) or .NET (Microsoft) technologies. However web services can be developed in other technologies like Python, PHP and C++. Apache Axis project aims to create a web services development framework in the lines of Microsoft .NET, but which will be vendor independent and open source. The Apache Axis software started as a web services project at the IBM’s Emerging Technology Division. IBM named the project IBM SOAP and was later renamed Apache SOAP, after the Apache foundation took over IBM’s project. It has since been rewritten and renamed Apache Axis. Axis C++ is an extension of Apache Axis. It provides tools that allow developers to use the popular C language to write web services.
Axis C++ is a major constituent (the other is Axis JAVA) of the Apache Axis project which works around a committee. Axis C++ is mostly supported by a group of volunteers mainly from Lanka Software Foundation (LSF), “ a not-for-profit foundation based in Sri Lanka, whose mission is to encourage developers to participate in global open-source software projects.” (LSF, 2005) Apache Axis is the main project of LSF and IBM and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Program (SIDA) financially back them. Two local universities and a key government IT Institute provide laboratory facilities, while a leading local ISP provides the Internet infrastructure. There are few local and international firms providing support by releasing some of their developers to work on the project. The project is operated as a typical software project with development activities at the heart of the project, therefore a project manager, a team leader and senior/junior developers work on the development of the core software technology. Interestingly, at Axis C++ there is a business manager to look into the possible business opportunities for the project. His role involves promotion of Axis C++
at industry events and forming alliances with the industry.
The developers at Axis C++ collaborate mainly using a mailing list taxis-c- dev @ ws. apache, or g ) and other developers outside the project are also welcome to contribute by joining the list. According to the Axis C++ members, the benefit of using mailing lists over private communication is that the mailing list is a shared transparent resource (or a process). Others who use the mailing list can learn from common mistakes of the users/developers and as a community they all can grow together. (The Apache Software Foundation, 2005) With majority of the developers contributing voluntarily. Axis C++ makes an ideal group to conduct our interviews on the research topic.
APPENDIX D
Dear Axis C++ Developers,
I came across this mailing list while carrying out a search in SourceForge on interesting and important open source software (OSS) projects. I am an experienced Linux
administrator and OSS user, currently doing my MBA at the University of Surrey in UK. My dissertation topic is on motivation of OSS developers, the social movement aspects in OSS and the impact of these factors on businesses engaged in OSS. The data gathering method of my study is qualitative interviews and I wish to interview a few knowledgeable OSS developers.
I would be very much grateful if you would participate in this study and also help me find a few more knowledgeable developers for my research study. I appreciate any suggestions you have on my study (especially on the direction, method etc..). I am able to conduct telephone or web based interviews, which will take around 20 minutes, at your chosen time.
I hope you will assist me in this pure academic exercise and look forward to a positive response from you soon.
Thank you, Supun Athukorale MBA programme School of Management University of Surrey Guildford, Surrey United Kingdom
APPENDIX E
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